Cornea Research Foundation of America Inc

Quick Facts

Mission

We are a globally focused not for profit clinical research and educational organization located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our mission is "to give each person the opportunity for the best possible vision by innovating solutions for vision impairment and sharing results through relevant educational channels to reach a global audience. We expand possibilities and enrich lives by optimizing sight."

Notes from the Nonprofit

Thank you for viewing the Cornea Research Foundation. Please connect with us on our website at www.cornea.org.

Programs + Results

What we aim to solve New!

Our programs

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Cornea Transplant Database

Since 1988, we have been tracking long-term cornea transplant patient outcomes. We now have records on more than 8,000 patients in what is known as the Cornea Transplant Database, the largest such database in the Americas.Picture1.jpgThis database has assisted in making many discoveries by allowing us to see trends—what’s working well and what’s not working so well, so we can continually refine surgical techniques and patient care resulting in better outcomes. We use this database to assist us in identifying areas in which more research is needed. Here are just a few examples illustrating how this database has proven invaluable:Dr. Price was an early pioneer of small incision transplants (DSEK and DMEK). Our database helped prove that these newer methods are safer and provide much faster visual recovery than full thickness transplants, which had been the previous standard of care.We showed that cataract surgery can be combined safely with DSEK or DMEK thereby allowing patients to have cataract and corneal problems treated at the same time. A single surgery is safer, easier for people, and more cost effective than separate surgeries.Many of our patients have conditions that cause both corneas to go bad. We’ve demonstrated that we can safely treat the second eye with DMEK just one week after the first so that people can get back to work and resume daily activities sooner.Transplant rejection has long been a leading reason for transplant failure. Our data has proven that DMEK has a far lower risk of being rejected by the recipient than earlier transplant techniques. Taking advantage of the low risk of rejection with DMEK (<1% risk), we’ve shown that we can safely reduce the strength and dosing frequency of anti-rejection medication and reduce medication-associated side effects.Our proven results are instrumental in convincing transplant surgeons to adopt these newer techniques and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

Charting Impact

Five powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

How will they know if they are making progress?

What have and haven't they accomplished so far?

The Foundation has tracked the progress of thousands of patients, helped pioneer small incision corneal transplants and conducted more than 100 innovative clinical research studies. All of which has led to improved treatment options and the approval of drugs and devices for use in the United States. This effort has given thousands of people back the use of their eyes, putting them back to work and improving their quality of life. Looking forward, there’s still much to do.• GOAL #1: Drive advances in cornea transplant outcomes• GOAL #2: Provide new vision restorative treatments to patients through clinical studies in collaboration with partners around the globe

Education has a profound effect on the success of our goals to provide the best vision care through research. Without education to the providers and users in the medical community, research has little impact. Our goal is to empower both doctors and patients with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide and receive the best patient care resulting in optimized outcomes. In the past 25 years, the Foundation has provided intensive training to more than 600 eye surgeons on the latest surgical techniques, and provided thousands of hours of continuing education to optometrists (often the first point of contact for eye care) so they can appropriately identify conditions and provide information to patients to help prevent vision loss.• GOAL #1: Educate ophthalmologists on the latest advancements• GOAL #2: Educate optometrists on the latest advancements in eye care

o Action A: Grow the largest cornea transplant database in Western hemisphereo Action B: Leverage this resource through strategic data analyses to discern and document technique and drug improvements o Action C: Conduct clinical trials of new treatments for cataracts, glaucoma, corneal problems, and refractive eye conditions to benefit patients, including short-term evaluation studies or multi-year initiativeso Action D: Partner with companies on innovative new products to treat degenerative conditions of the eye and nervous system through restorative and regenerative technologies.

The Cornea Research Foundation of America (CRFA) was founded by Francis W. Price Jr., M.D. in 1988 with a goal to establish a world center for clinical research and education specializing in corneal disease, corneal transplantation and intraocular lens surgery. A visionary physician, Dr. Price understood that corneal surgeries were increasing, in part, due to complications following cataract surgeries. In response, he created a database to store and track preoperative, surgical and postoperative statistics for transplants performed since 1982 within Price Vision Group.

His efforts were strengthened when the Indiana Lions Eye Bank became involved with the Foundation in 1990. Their contributions and many generous supporters have helped maintain the burgeoning Cornea Transplant Database that now houses data more than 8,000 transplants. Although the Foundation’s primary focus is on transplant data, its mission has evolved to include many other vision research initiatives.

Building on philanthropic activities currently in place, the Foundation will strengthen its sustainability through greater donor cultivation and diversifying gift types, which will allow us to make new breakthroughs and purchase instruments as needed.

The Board of Directors provide leadership and guidance which assists in defining and maintaining the Foundation’s strategic direction. Board engagement is a critical component to the success of the strategic imperatives through both philanthropic activities and evaluating progress based on the metrics defined in the organization's Strategic Plan.

Robert Grimm
Clinical Associate Professor
IUPUI Kelley School of Business

Jim Butler
Retired Metallurgist
Business Leader

David Huse
Faculty - School of Veterinary Medicine
Purdue University

Toula Oberlies
Teacher
Retired

Monica Rosenfeld
President
Hebrew Hasten Academy

Don Hutchinson
Senior Vice President
Goelzer Investment Management

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board Leadership Practices

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader
in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section,
which enables organizations and donors to transparently share information
about essential board leadership practices.

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

BOARD ORIENTATION & EDUCATION

Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations?

Yes

CEO OVERSIGHT

Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive
within the past year?

Yes

ETHICS & TRANSPARENCY

Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and
completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year?

Yes

BOARD COMPOSITION

Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that
results in diversity of thought and leadership?

Yes

BOARD PERFORMANCE

Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance
within the past three years?